MX23RW : Saturday, December 14 04:15:17| >> :60:186:186:

Thomas Tuchel: 'There is no doubt about Kai Havertz's quality'

The Germany playmaker had a hand in both goals as the Blues strengthened their top-four hopes.

Thomas Tuchel toasted Kai Havertz's coming-of-age performance in taking "responsibility" during Chelsea's 2-0 Premier League win over Everton.

Germany playmaker Havertz had struggled to realise his rich potential since his £70million summer switch to Stamford Bridge from Bayer Leverkusen.

The 21-year-old was unable to find his niche under Frank Lampard, suffering lasting effects from coronavirus and battling for regular first team action.

Havertz wrestled control of Chelsea's commanding victory over Everton at Stamford Bridge on Monday however, with the classy operator unlucky to end the night without a goal.

Chelsea v Everton – Premier League – Stamford Bridge
Kai Havertz, centre. was a handful for Everton (Mike Hewitt/PA)

And that assured performance left Tuchel purring on Havertz just as much as Chelsea extending their unbeaten start to life under the German boss to 11 matches.

"I'm very happy with his performance; there's no doubt about his quality, his talent and also not about his character," said Tuchel.

"He needs to adapt to the Premier League, he needs to a club where you play to win every game, where the highest standards are normal.

"That's a normal process also for him to adapt to this mentality.

"He showed up between the lines and used his potential to accelerate our game and to increase the touches in the box – and to be responsible for assists and through-balls, and also to take the responsibility to finish himself. And from here, on we go."

Chelsea v Everton – Premier League – Stamford Bridge
It was a satisfying night for Thomas Tuchel (John Sibley/PA)

Havertz was unlucky not to be credited with Chelsea's first goal, with Ben Godfrey's deflection eventually confirmed as an own goal.

The lively forward later saw a neat finish ruled out for handball, before winning a penalty that Jorginho converted.

Chelsea's mean-spirited defence under Tuchel continues to set new standards in west London.

Former Paris St Germain boss Tuchel has now become the first manager to secure five clean sheets in his first five home Premier League games.

Chelsea now boast nine clean sheets in Tuchel's 11 matches in charge, and only Maurizio Sarri with 12 games has enjoyed a longer unbeaten start to life in London.

The Blues secured their position in fourth place in the Premier League table, taking another big step towards Champions League qualification.

Tuchel admitted seeing increasing levels of belief and momentum among his entire Chelsea squad.

"If you share special moments and good results, this is in the end the thing that lifts you up to special performances," said Tuchel.

"I feel positive energy from everyone around the team in Cobham, towards my staff, towards football and my team."

Carlo Ancelotti had precious few complaints on Everton's defeat, insisting the Toffees could not argue too much with their loss.

"They played better than us, they played with more quality," said Ancelotti.

"We were good defensively for 30 minutes, but once they scored it was more difficult for us.

"We are disappointed, but not too much.

"We weren't at the best at the top tonight to get the result here."

ID:438436: cacheID:438436:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:8385:
Written by
P A
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel pictured on March 4, 2021
Read Next:
Chelsea's Tuchel breaks Premier League record with Everton win
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool14112129111835
2Chelsea1594235181731
3Arsenal1585229151429
4Manchester CityMan City158342721627
5Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest157441918125
6Aston Villa157442323025
7Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton156632522324
8Bournemouth157352320324
9Brentford157263128323
10Fulham156542220223
11Tottenham HotspurSpurs1562731191220
12Newcastle UnitedNewcastle155551921-220
13Manchester UnitedMan Utd155461918119
14West Ham UnitedWest Ham155372028-818
15Everton143561421-714
16Leicester CityLeicester153572130-914
17Crystal Palace152761420-613
18Ipswich TownIpswich151681427-139
19Wolverhampton WanderersWolves1523102338-159
20Southampton1512121131-205


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!